Text and Pic by Nishan S. Priyantha

Former Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited (AASL) Board member Professor Sonal Fernando yesterday asserted that commissions paid to aircraft buyers were included in the purchase price and that refusing such a commission could result in the cancellation of the transaction.

Speaking at a press conference at the Airport Garden Hotel in Katunayake yesterday (9), Prof. Fernando said buyers were therefore effectively required to accept commissions offered by aircraft manufacturers, their representatives or brokers.

He said aircraft could be purchased directly from manufacturers, through authorised representatives or via brokers, adding that transactions conducted through brokers or representative companies could be more financially advantageous.

However, describing the international aircraft market as a “mafia”, Prof. Fernando questioned the manner in which aircraft purchases were negotiated and carried out.

He also criticised plans by SriLankan Airlines to acquire Airbus A350 aircraft, describing the proposed purchase as a “foolish decision”.

Prof. Fernando said an Airbus A350 procurement deal had been prepared during his tenure on the AASL Board but was subsequently cancelled by the previous government.

He also maintained that there was no immediate need to modernise or expand the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake, claiming that its existing facilities would be adequate to meet requirements for another 25 years.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka (CBCSL) has called for an impartial investigation into the alleged mass graves in the Chemmani area of the Jaffna Peninsula, stressing the need to establish the truth and ensure accountability for alleged crimes committed during the country’s long civil conflict.

In a statement issued yesterday following its Plenary Session held from August 18 to 20, the CBCSL said the ongoing Chemmani excavations should be completed, describing the investigation as essential to securing truth and accountability.

Full text of the statement: The Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Sri Lanka, during the Plenary Session held from 18th to 20th August 2026, focused its attention on some of the important issues that have a direct impact on justice, peace and reconciliation in the country.

The Bishops were appreciative of certain recent initiatives of the Government in view of promoting equality and justice in society. Among such initiatives, special attention was drawn towards the proposed Wind Power Plants in Mannar. Fourteen wind power plants have been installed, and as promised, no further expansion of such power plants is to be done.

The CBCSL is also thankful to the Government for the salary increment of the Tea Plantation workers. This need was placed before His Excellency the President of Sri Lanka by the CBCSL in August last year. It had been a long-standing need, and the CBCSL appreciates the salary increment for this sector of society, which is greatly instrumental in promoting the country’s economy.

While the CBCSL appreciates these decisions, the CBCSL also would like to highlight the need to have an impartial investigation into the issue of mass graves in the Jaffna Peninsula. The already protracted Chemmani Excavations are to be completed. This effort is needed to secure truth and accountability for the alleged crimes associated with Chemmani.

Similarly, there are also other episodes of terrorism and mass killings which had taken place during the protracted civil war for nearly 30 years and even acts of terrorism experienced during the era prior to this period.

The CBCSL is also concerned about the sand mining activities in Mannar Island causing major environmental damage. While people are disturbed by this ecologically damaging activity, the CBCSL has also received information about the drilling of land surrounding Mannar Island for oil and Gas exploration. These may be positive initiatives towards economic development. Nevertheless, it is the duty of those responsible to conduct proper environmental assessments in a transparent manner and to make the public aware of such projects. A proper consultation to ascertain the local public opinion should be done prior to any such development activity. The livelihood of the fishing community and the water resources in Mannar Island should not be affected by such activity, so that the rights and the dignity of the people will be safeguarded.

The CBCSL is further concerned about the extensive environmental damage caused by the Express Pearl Ship and the need to adhere to the Court’s decision to claim the imposed compensation. Moreover, the environmental hazards that are taking place due to the current reclamation of Muthurajawela wetland by filling it, need to be attended to, and the necessary measures should be taken to ensure the conservation of the Muthurajawela wetland against hazardous development plans.”

The statement has been signed by Rt. Rev. Dr. Harold Anthony Perera President – CBCSL Bishop of Kurunegala, Rt. Rev. Dr. P. Anton Ranjith Secretary General – CBCSL Bishop of Jaffna Apostolic Administrator of Batticaloa, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith Archbishop of Colombo, Rt. Rev. Dr. Noel Emmanuel Vice President – CBCSL Bishop of Trincomalee, Rt. Rev. Dr. Valence Mendis Bishop of Kandy, Rt. Rev. Dr. Raymond Wickramasinghe Bishop of Galle, Rt. Rev. Dr. Jude Nishantha Silva Bishop of Badulla, Rt. Rev. Dr. Wimal Siri Jayasuriya Bishop of Chilaw, Rt. Rev. Dr. Anton Wyman Croos Bishop of Ratnapura, Rt. Rev. Dr. Anthonipillai Gnanapragasam Bishop of Mannar, Rt. Rev. Dr. Sagara Jayamanna, SSS Bishop of Anuradhapura, Rt. Rev. Dr. Maxwell G. Silva Auxiliary Bishop of Colombo and Rt. Rev. Dr. J. D. Anthony Jayakody Auxiliary Bishop of Colombo.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s astrologer Sumanadasa Abeygunawardena left the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) yesterday after making a statement for nearly three hours.

Abeygunawardena arrived at the CIABOC premises yesterday morning after being summoned to make a statement in connection with an ongoing investigation into the ‘Siriliya Saviya’ organisation.

The investigation concerns matters relating to the Siriliya Saviya organisation, which has been the subject of inquiries by the Bribery Commission.

Abeygunawardena, who previously served as the astrologer of the former presidential family, was summoned by CIABOC as part of the ongoing investigation.